Jockey wheel too short.

[Bellbirdweb]

I had the same issue.

Solved with a trailermate.

Didn't need to change the bracket, but yes they are heavy, but worth it.

 

[Smirke]

This may be of little use but we've had the same problem with getting jockey wheel on and off in varying height condition and have been frustrated by it.

Also, problem was compounded a couple of weeks ago when jockey wheel, on blocks and on sand, looked like toppling off.

With the help of lots of people here, I investigated both Trailermate and Boss as alternatives and wanted to replace jacks in van with something that just might work.

The result:

We're having a plate made ...steel... that the jockey wheel will sit in at times ...the plastic ones we tried just disintegrate...so we'll use that on blocks to get the extra stability and height when needed.

The plate will have an indent for the wheel to sit in.

For lower positions....we're still not sure but will try to avoid that if possible. It's only been a problem once so we tried to avoid overkill.

We decided not to go with Trailermate or Boss on the basis of weight and because extra brackets were needed on draw bar and to use as a jack.

Your issue is different, I know, so I hope you sort it out easily but wondered if you had had time to look into all the factors with the alternatives.

@Dobbie , would love to see the finished product. I did think of putting something under the jockey wheel, but the whole stability thing stopped me from thinking along those lines further.

 

[Smirke]

I had the same issue.

Solved with a trailermate.

Didn't need to change the bracket, but yes they are heavy, but worth it.

@Bellbirdweb did you get the trail a mate MK I or MKII?
Repco have the MKI for $319, but on the web site it recommends the MKII due to the size of our vans.(seems they are a tad heavy)

 

[dagree]

Repco have the MKI for $319

That is a damn good price for one. Are you thinking of utilising it as a jack if needed @Smirke ?

 

[Smirke]

Wasn't going to get it as I read that the thing has to be able to cope with 1/3 ATM of van, so given our van is on the heavy side .........didn't think it would cope.

I spoke to the BOS people who were going to send stuff out but it never arrived, and camec kept calling while I was in class so will need to get back to them tomorrow.

 

[dagree]

Reason I asked was that I took mine up to Northside to get the jacking brackets welded on and the expanda doesn't have a beam suitable to get them fitted to. So only to be used as a "jockey wheel"... Only need to take the tow ball weight which I hope is a lot LESS than 1/3rd AGM!!!!!!

 

[Smirke]

Reason I asked was that I took mine up to Northside to get the jacking brackets welded on and the expanda doesn't have a beam suitable to get them fitted to. So only to be used as a "jockey wheel"... Only need to take the tow ball weight which I hope is a lot LESS than 1/3rd AGM!!!!!!

Given the amount of stuff I take with my boys..........hmmmmm (plus, am wanting to put a box on the front that will house the engel)

 

[dagree]

Just had a thought @Smirke (Dangerous I know!!!)... But if you have to raise the van's hitch by 80 - 100mm will the van be sitting level when hooked up??????

Maybe a longer drop hitch may be required?

 

[Smirke]

Just had a thought @Smirke (Dangerous I know!!!)... But if you have to raise the van's hitch by 80 - 100mm will the van be sitting level when hooked up??????

Maybe a longer drop hitch may be required?

Hate to say it @dagree , but beat you to that thought. On the camec site it shows a drop hitch which is longer (160 it mentions), and that, a trail a mate and a longer jockey wheel all were the 3 things I wanted info on. Shame I couldn't talk to them when they called. Will call back tomorrow and see what they say. Don't want to jack it up to get it on the car, as our lawn slopes towards the road so it isn't a safe option. Not to say we haven't done it before to get the previous van level, just not wanting to do it with this van

 

[dagree]

Had to fit a 120 drop hitch on the 100 series when lifted and it only had the 16' tourer behind it.... Thought the "rear end" of the expanda was going to scrape on the ground